Sugar centrifugal machine



(Model) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

s. M. LILLIE. SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 24,1882

W T/VESSES:

ATTORNEY n PETERS. Pholo-Lilhogmpher. Washington, D. c.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Model.)

S. M. LILLIE. SUGAR GENTRIPUGAL MACHINE No. 252,783. Patented Jan.24,1882.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY (ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. S. M. LILLIE.v

SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

No. 252,783. A PatentedJan. 24,1882.

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ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

S. M. LILLIE.

SUGAR OENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

No. 252,783. Patented Jan. 24,1882.

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'llm l IllllIIllIlIllIllllIllI/I A TTORNEY N. FEIERS. Phuwlnhognphar.Washmgton, u c.

(ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

S. M. LILLIE.

SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

No. 252,783. Patented Jan. 24,1882.

Z Li J u ML C "LL LL Til INVENTOR A TTOAN/ZV N. PETERS,Pholo-Lilhogmphcr, wmin wn. D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- S. MORRIS LlLLIE,,OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

SUGAR CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,783, dated January24, 1882.

Application filed March 18, 1880.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, S. MORRIS LILLIE, of Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefullmprovementsin Sugar Centrifugal Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to adapt the centrifugal machine to themanufacture of hard sugars, so that the various processes of draining,liquoring, and drying may be all ctfected in the machine with muchsaving of time and labor. 7 I

My improved centrifugal machii ie may be constructed in accordance witheither of two general plans, both of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Constructed in accordance with one of theseplans, the machine is adapted to receive molds filled with thesugar-magma as it comes from the evaporating-pans, to support the sameinradial positions, and subject their contents to the draining actionofcentrifugal force. The molds are supported in the machine around acentral hopper or reservoir having spoutsleading radially to the mouthsof the dift'erent molds, so that any liquor that may be pouredinto thehopper while the machine is revolving will, urged by the centrifugalforce, flow through the spouts upon the sugar in the molds. The outerend of each mold fits air and liquor tight into a socket in theperiphery of the machine, in which socket is induced a vacuum by meansof a communication through the axle of the machine with avacuum-producing apparatus. This vacuum in the sockets assists thecentrifugal force in effectingthe draining and liquor ing of the sugarin the molds, and the latter operation having been completed, it servesto draw warm and dry air through the sugar for the purpose of drying thesame. The warm and dry air is led from a suitableheating and desiccatingapparatus by meansof a communication through the axle of the machine andthe central hopper and its radiating spouts to each of the molds, whosemonths are each closed with a cap fitting air-tight over the same,whichis pierced by one of the spouts radiating from the central hopper,throughwhich flow in succession the washing-liquor and the warm and dryair for their respective purposes of washing and drying the sugarcontained in the (Model.)

mold, all as hereinafter more fully described. Inthe construction of mymachine in accordauce with the other plan, the removable molds aredispensed with,the machine having a hasket which is divided up intomolds by radial partitions, with each of whichacentral hoppercommunicates by means of radiating spouts. The molds are filled with thesugar-magma to be drained and treated by running the same into thecentral hopper,wh'ence it tlows through the various spouts into andfills the encircling molds. Around the circumference of the hasket,forming a portion of the machine and revolving with it, are arranged anumber of reccptacles, one for each mold contained in the basket, intowhich flow the sir-ups separated from the sugar-by the centrifugal forceduring the draining and liquoring operations. By means of communicationsthrough the axle with proper vacuumproducing apparatus a vacuum ismaintained in each of the sirup-receptacles to aid in freeing the sugarof the magma-sirup and the washing-liquor, and, the liquoring havingbeen completed, to draw warm and dry aFr through the sugar for thedesiccation of the same.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 represent my machine as arranged toreceive the removable or independent molds, Fig. l beinga plan ot'themachine, and Fig. 2 a partial section of Fig. 1 along the broken lineY.Figs.8 to 14, inclusive, illustratcother arrangements of my machine anddetached parts of the same.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a machine designed for holding radially six molds,five of which,M M, 860., are shown in position in Fig. 1, the sixthbeing left out to reveal the construction of certain parts of themachine. Each mold M is supported in a radial and horizontal position bythe clasp a, rest r, and conical socket s, the clasp 0 supporting andgrasping it near its inner extremity or mouth, the rest 1' supporting itnear its middle point, and the socket 8 receiving and supporting theapex of the mold. The clasp, rest, and socket for each mold aresupported on a radial arm, A, of which there are six, one for each mold,attached to and radiating from a hub, h, on the axle L of the machine.There is a strut, t, resting between a shoulder on the hub h and ashoulder on the under side of each arm A, to resist the tendency whichthe mass of the sugar and mold has, while the machine is in motion, todepress the arm. This tendencyis also resisted by the ring of metal 2',which tits into recesses ill the upper edges of the arms A, near the hubit.

Two tie-rods, cl (1, are fastened to or clasp the extremity of each rodA, and are also fastened to the hub of the machine and aid in resistingthe centrifugal force of the mold of sugar. This purpose is alsosnbserved by the ring of metal R, which encircles the arms.

Each clasp cis a circular arc of tnetal, of something more than onehundred and eighty degrees, standing vertically with its opening up uponand firmly secured to the edge of its arm A. The inner face of the claspis beveled to conform to the shape of the mold when in position, and itis of such a diameter that when the mold is forced home by thecentrifugal force, so as to have a bearing in the clasp, the apex of themold will have an air and liquor tight bearing in the conical socket s,which is formed inside, so as to'correspond in inclination to the apexof the mold, and is lined with some suitable material, so that when themold is thrust home an air-tightjoint will be formed between the innersurface of the socket and the apex of the mold. The thrust of the moldduring the revolution of the machine is borne partly by the clasp c andpartly by the socket s,- and by having the packing in the socketsufiiciently thick and elastic, so that it will give readily to thethrust of the mold until the latter has a firm bearing in the clasp c,nearly all of the thrust may be thrown on the clasp, as a result ofwhich the parts of the machine outside of the clasps would have butlittle strain to resist other than that due to their own mass, and socould be made comparatively light.

From the apex of each conical sockets a curved discharge pipe, 2,projects into a trough, T, encircling the machine,into which the sirupsfrom the sugar in the molds flow through the said discharge pipes. Aportion of the curve of the discharge-pipe is concave toward the centerof the machine, and consequently cannot be emptied ofsirup by thecentrifugal force, no matter how rapid the revolutions of the machinemay be.

Each discharge-pipe com munieates by means of a tube, 2, with thepassage N in the lower part of the axle L, which in turn communicatesthrough the step S and pipe 1) with a vacuumproducing apparatus, bywhich means a vacuum may be induced at the apex of each mold to assistin freeing the sugar in the molds of their contained sirup orliquor,'and then to effeet the drying of the same, as hereinafterdescribed.

The sirup in the curve of each dischargepipe 2 will serve as a trap,during the revolution of the machine, to prevent any air passing inthrough the said pipe to destroy the vacuum in the sockets, for therevolution of the machine would be so rapid, and the consequentcentrifugal force so great, that the air would not be able to press thesirup back out of the curve and so gain admission to the interior of thesocket.

Each pipe 2 might be titted with a suitable valve, so that, though themachine were at rest, no air could enter through it.

Mounted on the axle of the machine, interior to the circle of molds, isacentral hopper, H, having horizontal radial tubes 0 0 leading from itto the months of the various molds when the latter are in position, sothat any liquor poured into the central hopper during the revolution ofthe machine will be equally distributed among the molds. The walls ofthe hopper areinclined outward toward the mouths of the tubes 0 0 tofacilitate the flow of the liquor to the latter. On each of the pipes ois a rather tightly-fitting sleeve, 0, which bears a circular cap, 0, ofthe same diameter as the end of the mold. The sleeves c and caps U arefree to be moved backward and forward on the tubes 0, a nd, when movedforward, cover the mouths of the molds tightly, the edges of the moldsand the faces of the caps being adapted to form air-tight bearings witheach other. The ends of the sleeves toward the molds terminate in rosesa by which the liquor passing through the tubes 0 0 is sprayed over theface of the sugar in the molds.

The upper part of the axle L has apassage, Z, in it, which communicatesbelow with the central hopper, H, through the passages y g, and at itsupper extremity through the pipe 1) with some source of warm and dryair.

Immediately above the central hopper, H, on the axle, is a sleeve-cap,1),which, when lowcred, closes the mouth of the hopper air-tight.

The sleeve-cap is arranged in the usual manner, so that it can be movedup and down on the axle, while the machine is revolving, by means of alever grasping the sleeve or neck of the cap. The lever is not shown inthe drawings.

The working and use of the machine are as follows, viz:

The molds, having been filled with the magma and allowed to stand for acertain time to pertnit the setting of the sugar, are placed in themachine by pushing back the caps O, slipping them into the clasps c, andmoving them forward until the apex of each bears iii the conical socket,the plug by which the passage through the apex of each mold is closedhaving been previously removed. The molds being in position, the capsGare moved forward to close the mouths of the molds, the machine isstarted revolving, and communication is established with the vacuumapparatus. The centrifugal force, aided to a degree by the vacuum,drains the sugar-magma contained iii the molds ofits green sirup,whichflows through the (llSOllfllgC-[ll1f)$ 2 into the encircling trough T,and thence through the spout a into a conduit leading to the receptacledesigned for holding the green sirup. The green sirup having beendrained from the sugar in the molds,

252,7ss s at has been turned into a receptacle designed for holding thewashings. The liquor-ing having been completed, thecap D is loweredso asto close the mouth of the hopper H, and the communication is opened withthe supply of warm and dry air, which isdrawn by the vacuum-inducingapparatus through the sugar in the molds, and effects the speedy dryingof the same. The drying may be still further hastened by having the hotand dry air under pressure. Indeed, such a pressure mightalone be reliedupon to causea flow ot'theairthrougli the sugar without the aid of thevacuum apparatus.

In Fig. 3 is shown the hopper H and cap D, adapted for use with thedesiccating-air under pressure. The cap D is inside of the hopper H, andto close the latter is raised so as to bear against a shoulder formednear themouth in the interior of the hopper, and to open the same it islowered again. The drying process having been completed and the machinestopped, the molds are taken from the latter, and the dry loaves ofsugar removed from them and divided up to make the various brands ofhard sugar. lf preferi ed, the draining and liquoring processes only maybe performed in the machine, and the drying of the sugar loaves beeffected in ovens or otherwise.

In Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, is illustrattd my improved machineconstructed in accordance with the second general plan-namely, with theradial molds forming aportion of the same and not removable from it.Thus arranged, the machine has its axle L tubular toward its upper andlower extremities, and has the central hopper, H, the radiating tubes 00, connecting the same with the molds, and the sleeve-cap D all similarto the same'parts in the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and for similarpurposes. The molds are formed in the basket of the machine by radialpartitions in the same, and each communicates with the central hopperthrough one of the chutes 0, which have a larger cross-section than inFigs. 1 and 2. The molds are filled with the sugarmagma by pouring thesame into the central hopper, whence itflows through the chutes into thevarious molds. The magma is subjected to the processes of draining,liquoring, and drying in a manner similar to that already described inconnection with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2. .Fig. 4 is aplan of this arrangement of my machine. Fig. 5 shows twopartial sectionsof Fig. 4, the portion on the right of the axle L, Fig. 5, being asection of Fig. 4 along the broken line X and that on the left alongthebroken line X. Figs. 6and 7 are views of detached parts. Fig. 8 is ahorizontal section of Fig. 5 along the broken line 00 w, and Fig. 9 is aview of the under side of the machine.

A radial and vertical section of the basket of this machine is that ofatruncated cone, the section being broader toward the axle of the machinethan toward its circumference. The basket is formed of an upper plate,1, a sieve and perforated plate, 2, that rest against the two rings, ofsteel or iron, R R, by which the thrust of the sugar due to thecentrifugal fort-e is resisted toward the axle by a conical shell,G,joining the top plate, 1, at its inner tdge, and inclining downwardand inward from the same, and by its lower edge forming a bearing orjamb, against which shut a number of sector-shaped doors, which togetherform the bottom of the basket. In the arrangement now being describedthe basket is supported by four radial arms, A A, &c., which extend froma hub, h. on the axle L, over the top of thebasket. and at theirouterextremities graspv the rings It It, as shown in Fig. 5 in the section onthe right. The top plate, 1, is 'attached to the under side of thesearms, and it and the basket are supported by the same.

The basket of the machine is divided into four molds by four radial andvertical partitions, 1) b b I), (see Fig. 8,) one beneath each arm A,each securely attached at its upper edge either to the plate 1 or to thearm. The outer extremity of each partition bears against the sieve 2,and atits innerend its edge, which is vertical, meets the conical shell0 only at the top, so that toward the center there is a communicationbetween all of the molds, while at the circumference there is nocommunication between them. The bottom of each mold is a drop-doorhinged to the ring It, which shuts over the clutches c c, projectingfrom the lower edge of each of the radial partitions b, and is heldtightly closed by bolts on the under side, which shoot into therojecting clutches. The arrangement of the doors and bolts is shown inFig. 9, which is a view of the under side of the basket of the machine.In the figure, D D I) D are the doors of the four molds. The doors D Deach bear a sys-, tem of bolts to be shot into the clutches c 0, whilethe doors D D have none. In shutting the doors, the doors D l) areclosed first, and when closed overlap the edges of the partitions I) oftheir respective molds. The doors I) D are then shut, and they, whenslint,o\'erlap to a slight extent the doors D D The clutches 0 0 projectthrough and below both sets of doors, and thet'onrdoors are held tightlyclosed against the edges of the partitions b and the edge of the conicalshell 0 by shooting the bolts on the doors D D into the said clutches.The various bearings ot' the doors are suitably faced or'packed, so thatwhen shut the doorsshall close the bottoms of the molds air-tight.

The mechanism and operation of the boltwork on the doors D D are easilyunderstood. It is also evident that, the machine having been startedafter closing and bolting the doors, the centrifugal force will tend toforce the bolts home, and the more strongly the morerapidly the machinerevolves, for in projecting the bolts the partof the mechanism by whichit is done-viz., the parts of the elbow-levers, the central slide, andthe links connecting the slide with the elbow-levers -are all movedtoward the circumference andaway from the center, and the more stronglythey are pressed outward the more powert'ully the bolts are pushedhome,and consequently it follows that, the tnachine having been startedrevolving, the centrifugal force actingon the mass of these variousparts will tend to force them outward and the bolts home, and with anintensity increasing with the rapidity of the revolution of the machine,and so by having the faces of the bolts slightly beveled the doors willbe pressed shut and held there more tightly in proportion to the speedof the machine.

Each mold communicates with the central hopper, H, by means of a chute,0, leading radially and downward from the hopper to the mold, and makingan airtight juncture with the cortical shell 0. The various molds arefilled with the sugar-magma by running it into the hopper H, preferablywhile the machine is in motion, whence it flows into the ditferent moldsthrough the chutes 0. The molds are filled to the inner ends of thepartitions b. The sirups drained from the sugar by the centrifugal forceflow through the sieves into the receptacles G G G G, ranged around thecircumference of the basket, one for each mold, and thence through thecurved air-trap pipes 2 into a trough encircling the machine, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, but not in Figs. 4 and 5.

Each receptacle G communicates with the lower axial tube, N, through thetube z, which extends from the top of the receptacle, when its juncturewith the same is made, over the top of the basket of the machine, anddown through the central annular space to the axial tube N, with whichit connects, and which in turn communicates through the step S andpipe 1) with a vacuunrproducing apparatus.

Underneath the top plate, 1, of each mold is a thin stifi plate, P,slightly smaller than the top of the mold. This plate is pivoted to theplate 1 by the pivot 27, Figs. 4 and 5, and near the inner end ot themold it is held to the said plate 1 by a pin, a, projecting from itthrough the plate, and furnished above the same with a head or crosspiece.

The passage a through the top plate for the pin a has the form of aslot, and by moving the pin hack and forth in the same the plate P mayhe vibrated on its pivot to free a finished loaf of sugar from the topof the mold should it in any event adhere to the same. The partitions 1;between the molds might also each be furnished on each side with avibrating plate, by which the loaves of sugar might likewise be detachedfrom them. These plaes would of course vibrate vertically, and theprojections by which theycould be vibrated from the exteriorwould passthrough the conical shell C. The partitions b might themselves bearranged so that vertical vibrations could be given them after theunbolting ot' the doors. If, however, the partitions b were made thickerat the top than at the bottom, there would rarely be any troublesomeadhesion of the loaves of sugar to them.

The working of this machine is as follows: The doors I) D having beenclosed and bolted and the machine started revolving, the sugarmagma isrun into the hopper H, whence it flows, urged by gravity and thecentrifugal force, through the chutes 0 into the molds in the basket ofthe machine. The proper quantity having been run in, the green sirup ormother-liquor is allowed to he first drained from the sugar by thecentrifugal force, and then aquantity of white liquor is run into thehopper, and thence it flows through the chutes 0 upon the face of thesugar in the molds, through which it passes and washes from it the lastportions of the green sirup. The liquoring having been completed, thedoors D D are unboltcd if the loaves of sugar are not to be dried in themachine, and the four doors, with the four loaves of sugar, are allowedto fall, after which the loaves may he removed for further treatment.Should the loaves adhere to the tops of the molds, they may he loosenedfrom the same by vibrating the plates P, which may be done by strikingthe pins n first on one side and then on the other.

If the loaves of sugar are to be dried, they may be placed indrying'ovens after having been removed from the machine in the moiststate, as above; or they may be dried in the machine, as follows: First,it is to be stated that the hopper H is provided with a sleevecap, I),on the axle above the same, and that it communicates through thepassages g g and the axial tube Z with apparatus for supplying hot anddry air. The liquoriug of the sugar having been finished, the cap D islowered so as to close the mouth of the hopper, communication is openedbetween the machine and the apparatus for supplying hot and dry air, andalso between the machine and the vacuuminducing apparatus, and by thelatter the hot and dry air is drawn through the sugarin the molds intothe receptacles G in a continuous current, by which the loavesofsugararequickly and thoroughly dried. The drying having been finished, the harddry loaves of sugar are removed from the machine, as hereinbeforedescribed, and are broken up into the various brands known to the trade.

In making the cubes of sugar k nown as cutloaf, the common method hasbeen to saw the dried loaves of sugar into slabs of the same thickness.as that of the cubes, and then to divide these slabs up into the cubes.In Figs. 6

and Sis shown an arrangement for forming the.

eaensa I slabs in the machine, and so to do away with the sawing of theloaves into slabs. Itconsists in subdividing the molds in the basket byparallel partitions the thickness of a cube of sugar apart from eachother, so that when the sugarmagma is run into the molds it will fillthe spaces between the partitions, and when drained, washed, and driedwill appear as dry white slabs of sugar, each having the thickness of acube of sugar, and right to be divided up into cut-loaf. The partitionsmay be variously arranged in the molds, but should be as nearly radialas is consistent with parallelism.

In Fig. 8, which is a horizontal section of the machine along the brokenline w at, Fig. 5, the partitions d are shown arranged vertically in twoof the molds, in one of which they are parallel to the partitions I),which divide the basket of the machine into molds, while in the otherthey are parallel to the axis of the mold. The sugar-magma flowing fromthe central hopper, H, into compartments, arranged as in either of theabove, fills the spaces between the plates d, is drained, washed, anddried, and is transformed into hard dry slabs of sugar proper to bedivided into cut-loaf.

The parallel partitions may be permanently fixed in the machine ordetachable. In the latter case the machine may be used for making otherbrands of sugar than cut-loaf. When the plates d are fixed in themachine it would be advantageous to have them attached alternately tothe top plate and to the door of the mold, in order that when the dooris dropped the slabs of sugar may be effectually loosened by the drawingapart of the plates. This arrangement of the partitions is illustratedin Fig. 6, which is a vertical section across one of the molds havingthe partitions, the direction of the seetion being perpendicular to theaxis of the mold. One face of each of the plates, when thus alternatelyattached to the top and door of the mold, may be ribbed vertically andhorizontally, the ribs being apart from each other, both vertically andhorizontally, a distance equal to the thickness of a cube of sugar, theeffect of which would be to groove the slabs of sugar off into squares.so that they might be broken up into cubes readily.

In Fig. 10 is presented a third arrangement of my invention, the halt'ofthe figure on the left being a plan and the half on the right being ahorizontal section dividing the body of the machine into halveshorizontally. This arrangement of my machine differs from that lastdescribed in that, first, there are six molds i11- stead of four,occupying the spaces between six radial arms, A, which support the bodyofthe machine and divideits basket into molds, thus serving the purposeof the radial partitions bin the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 4 to9, inclusive; in that, second, the molds are entirely distinct from eachother, there being no communication between them; and in that, third,the upper axial tube, Z,does not com municate with the molds through thecentral hopper,

H, but extends below the latter, and communicates directly with eachmold through a radialtube, o, which projects a little into the interiorof the mold, and terminates therein in a rose, a. In this arrangement ofmy machine the hopper is intended to be used only forfilling the moldswith the sugar-magmas, while the washing-licplor and the warm and dryair are to be introduced into the molds through the axial tube Z and thebranching tubes 0, the roses a, in which the latter terminate, in theinterior of the molds, serving the purpose of spraying thewashing-liquor over the face of the sugar in the molds. The upperextremity of the ax al tube Z has two connections, leading respectivelyto a supply of the washing-liquor and to one of hot and dry air, witheither of which it may be made to communicate at will. The centralhopper, H, has the same cap, D,'and for the same purpose as in thepreviously herein-described arrangements of my invention.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated another construction of my machine. The figureis a vertical section of the machine along a diameter, but limited oneach side of the axle. I11 this construction the radial arms A-, bywhich the body of the machineis supported, are below the latter, and thepartitions by whigh the basket of the machine is divided 'up into moldsare immediately above the arms. These partitions are not shown in thefigure. The inner plate, G,of the basket has the shape of the surface ofa truncated cone, inclining from the top downward and outward. Acircular plate, P, slightly conical, or depressed toward its center,meets the lower and inner edge of the basket, and, resting on the hub h,forms, with the conical shell U, the central hopper, H. At or near thebottom of the hopper H there are passages 0 through the plate 0 to thevarious molds in the basket, through which passages the sugarmagma,washing-liquor, and warm air pass during the various stages of theoperation. The axle L bears a cap, I), is tubular toward bothextremities, and has the various connections hereinbeloredescribed inconnection with the other constructions of the machine.

In Fig 12 is shown a modification of the central hopper, H, as presentedin Fig. 11, which modification consists in dividing the hopper into twoannular compartments or hoppers, H H, by an annular partition or conicalshell, W. Each division of the hopper has its own and separate passagesto the molds in the basket of the machine. The inner hopper, H, isdesigned for receiving the washing-liquor, from which, urged by thecentrifugal force, it flows into the various molds in the basket of theIIO machine through the passages 0 which are 7 closed with perforatedspray-plates s, so inclined that the washing-liquor, in passing throughthe same, will be distributed in a spray over the face of the sugar inthe molds. The division or annular hopper H is intended for receivingthe till mass, and the passages 0 leading from it to the molds in thebasket, are left open, free, and unobstructed. The axle L is tubular,bears the cap D, and has the various connections as hereinbeforedescribed in connection with the other arrangements of my machine.

It will he observed that in each of the constructions of my inventionshown the walls of the central hopper incline from the axle toward thechutes or passages leading to the basket or molds of the machine, andthis is done to facilitate the fiow of the sugar-magma andwashing-liquors to the passages. It is also to be noticed that thewashingliquor flows from the hopper into closed receptacles formed onein front of the sugar in each of the molds by the juncture of the plateor shell 0 C G, as the case maybe, with the inner extremities of themolds. This construction effectually insures against any loss of thewashing-liquor, which is all obliged to tiow through the sugar in themolds and perform its purging function thereon.

In the particular construction of themachine illustrated in the drawingsthere is during the draining and liquoring processes a continuous flowof sirup from the receptacles G, surround ing the periphery of thebasket, through the tubes 2, into the trough encircling the machine.This is not necessarily the case, however, for the receptacles G may bemade sufficiently capacious to hold all of the drainings and wash ingsresulting from the treatment of one charge of the sugar-magma, in whichcase the curved discharge-pipes mightbe dispensed with and thereceptacles be emptied of their contents at the end of the working ofeach charge through suitablefaueetsorvalves. Noencirclingtrough would beneeded in this case, and iteffects a considerable saving in room.

My machine, when set up and ready for work, has the followingconnections and adjuncts,

' viz: Through the pipe p the lower axial tube,

N, communicates with a suitable vacuum-producing apparatus, and througha similar pipe the upper axial tube, Z, communicates with a system ofapparatus for furnishing hot and dry air, consisting of anair-compressor if the desiccating-air is to be used under pressure, anapparatus for drying the air, and an apparatus for heating the same, thecourse of the air being from the compressor to and through thedesiccator, thence to and through the heater, and from the latter, hot,dry, and under pressure,to the axial tube Z ofthe machine. For adjunctsthe machine should have a suitable device connected with it formeasuring and running the proper charge of the sugar-magma into thecentral hopper, and also a device by which the white liquor used may beconveniently measured. Thelatter purpose would be subserved by a smalltank for holding the liquor, having aspout that may be turned' to discharge the liquor into the hopper, and also having a graduatedgage-glass, by means of which the height of the liquor in the tank, and

the amount drawn 0E from the same at any time, may be noted.

While my machine is adapted to the manufacture of hard sugars, it is,slightly modified, equally adapted for the filtration of liquids for thepurpose of separating from the same any mechanical impurities held insuspension.

In Figs. 13 and 14 is illustrated my machine modified to adapt it to thefiltration of liquids, Fig. 13 being a vertical section of the machinealong a diameter, and Fig. 14 a detached view of certain parts. Thismodification of the machine has, in common with the others, the axle L,tubular above and below, the sleeve-cap D,

hopper H, radial passages 0, air and liquor tight basket B, chamber G,surrounding the basket, curved discharge-pipes z, and pipes 2,connecting the latter with the axial tube N, which in this arrangementof the machine communicates through the step S either with a vacuumapparatus or with a water-supply, depending upon the position of thefaucet T. In addition, this modification of the machine has a faucet, t,at the juncture of each of the pipes z with its discharge-pipe z, sothat the latter may be put in communication either with the pipe z orwith the nozzle K, which projects into a trough (not shown) encirclingthe machine. The pipes 2 have each an independent connection with thechamber G through a small tube, a, so that while the vacuum-inducingapparatus is in connection with the axial tube N there may always be avacuum, or partial vacuum, induced in the chamber G. The basket B hascurved discharge-pipes u, similar to the discharge-pipes z of thechamber G, and the same in number.

Each of the pipes to is located at the side but a little back of a pipe,2, and, like the latter, has a horizontal nozzle. F, projecting into theencircling trough, and a faucet, t, both of which are.hidden in Fig. 13,but are shown in Fig. 1- which is a view of a portion of the face orperiphery of the machine, and of which Fig. 13 is a section along thebroken line X. The levers of the faucets t t of each pair of pipes atand z are connected in a suitable manner to a common operating-rod, c,which is connected with and is moved and controlled by the slcevecap Dby means of the flexible connecting-band c, passing around the frictionroller 6, supported by the shoulder s on the axle L, and the verticalrod 0, which extends through the bottom of the hopper H, and is attachedat its upper extremity to the cap D, and at its lower end to theconnecting-band c. When the cap I) is raised the levers of the faucets tand t are pulled toward the axle, which opens the communication betweenthe dischargepipe z and the nozzle K, (breaking that between the formerand the pipe z,) and closes the discharge-pipe u. The lowering of thecap I) while the machine is revolving alows the centrifugal force,acting on the rod 0 and the levers of the faucets t t, which may beweighted, if necessary, to

move the latter to the right, which opens the pipe at, so that thecontents of the basket may flow into the trough, and puts thedischargepipe 2 in communication with the pipe 2 and axial tube N. If,while the cap D is thus lowered, the faucet T be revolved so as to turnthe water, or other liquid, for that matter, into the axial tube N, thewater will flow through the tubes N,z, and 2 into the chamber G, andthence through the filtering medium f-whioh takes the place of thesieves of the other modi fications of the machine, and is held betweenthe two annular perforated plates 1; a, so that liquids underheavypressures mayflow through the same in either directioninto the basket B,and from it through the discharge-pipes uinto the trough surrounding themachine.

By having the axial tube Z in communication through the upper bearin gof the axle with a vacuum apparatus, a vacuum may be induced in thebasket B to assist the flow of the liquid from G into I3. The curves inthe dischargepipes z and u serve as air-traps, to prevent the flow ofthe air back through the pipes, to destroy the vacuum induced in GorB,asthe case may be.

Having now described the construction of my machine as adapted to thefiltration of liquids, I will describe the process of filtering asugar-liquor by the same.

The cap D being raised, which closes the basket discharge-pipe u andconnects the (lischarge-pipe z with its nozzle K, and the valve T beingturned so that a vacuum will be induced in the chamber G in virtue ofits communication through the pipes at z and the axial tube N with thevacuum inducing apparatus, the liquor to be filtered is run into thecentral hopper, H, whence it flows into the basket B, and, urged by thecenti ifugal force and the vacuum induced in the chamber G,'filtersthrough the filtering medium infinto the chamber G, and flows thencethrough the pipe 2 into the encircling trough. The liquor is run intothe hopper continuously and rapidly enough to keep I the basket 13 andpassages 0 filled as far back as the hopper H, in order to obtain asgreat a filtering pressure as possible. The pressure of .the liquor uponthe filtering mediumthat is,

per unit of surfime-depends entirely upon the radial depth of the liquorpressing against the filtering medium, and notat all upon the verticalthickness of the same, nor upon its quantity, and consequently as greata pressure is obtained with the radially thin basket B and the longradial tubes 0 of the machine shown in the drawings as if the basketwere deeper radially and the tubes 0 correspondingly shorter, and so, asfar as the pressure and the rate of filtration are concerned, the basketB may be made as thin, radially, or as thick as may be desired.Thethinnerthebasketthelessweight it has to support. Whcn at length somuch liquor has passed through the machine that'the filtering mediumbegins to grow clogged, and the liquor to flow slowly from the pipes z,the

fiowoftheliquorinto thehopperisstopped,that in the basket is allowed tofilter off, and then asmall quantiyot' water is run into the hopper, towash the remains of the liquor from the filtering medium. This havingbeen done, the cap D is'lowcred, the cock T is reversed so as 'to turnthe water into the axial tube N, and

the vacuum-imlucing apparatus is putin communication with the axial tubeZ-t. 0., if the latter has a connection with the vacuum apparatus. Thewater, urged by the centrifugal force and the vacuum in B, flows throughthe tubes 2 and 2 into the chamber G, thence through the filteringmedium fintothe basket B, and finally from the latter it flows throughthe tube a into the encirclingtrough. In its passage through thefiltering medium and the basket the water thoroughly cleanses the formerand washes from the latter the matters that may have collected thereinduring the filtration. This cleansing operation having been completed,the axial tube Z is shut off from the vacuum apparatus, the cock T isturned so that the communication of the axial tube N shall he with thevacuum apparatus, and not with the water-main, the cap D is raised, andthe liquor is again run into thehopper H continuously until thefiltration again becomes slow, owing to the clogging of the filteringmedium, and it becomes necessary to repeat the cleansing operation. Thusit is seen that without once stopping themachinethe filtering andcleansing processes alternate with each other until all the liquor hasbeen filtered that it is wished to filter.

The construction of this filtering-machine may be varied considerably initsdetails. Thus the hopper H may be dispensed with by having the radialtubes 0 communicate with the axial tube Z, through which. in that case,the liquor might be led into the basket of the machine. Again, a secondcentral hopper might be located on the axle of the machine, below thebasket, with which hopper thepip'es z z and the axial tube N wouldcommunicate. This second hopper would also have a sleevecap similar tothe cap 1) ot the hopper H, by

which-it might be tightly closed, and would be used to receive thewashing-water as the hopper ll does the liquor, and so in this case theaxial tube N would only communicate with the vacuum apparatusthiough thestep S. Again, the filtering-surface might be greatly inci eased byhaving the perforated plates 1) o, and consequently the filtering mediumfalso, deeply corrugated or waved.

I have omitted to state that access may be had to the interior of thebasket of this machine by removing one or moreot' the sections of whichthe circular plate 1), forming a part of the top of the basket, iscomposed.

I do not claim broadly as my invention the combination, with the basketor radial molds of a centrifugal machine, of a central hopper havingcommunication Will] the basket or molds, and serving for theintroduction of a liquid or semi-liquid into the same; nor do I broadlyclaim parallel plates in the basket or molds of a centrifugal machinefor the purpose of formingthe sugardrained therein into slabs; nor do Iclaim broadly, in a centrifugal machine, an axial tube communicatingwith the basket of the same when used for conveying liquid substancesinto the latter while themachine is in motion, for I find that the broadidea of each of the above is old; but I do claim the specific devicesunder eachot' the above, stated in the claims appended to thisspecification.

VVhat I claim as mine. and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patentof the United States, is as follows, viz:

1. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of molds formed radiallyin the basket of the machineby radial partitions with a central hoppermounted on the axle of the machine and revolvingwith it andcommunicating with the various molds, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of molds supportedhorizontally and radially around the axis of the machine, bearingslocated around the circumference of the machine, in which the outerextremities of the molds rest, the said bearings supporting the thrustofthe molds due to the centrifugal force, and having passages throughthem through which the siiups may flow into an encircling receptacle,and a central hopper mounted on the axle of the machine and revolvingwith it and communicating with the various molds, substantially asspecified.

3. In a centrifugal machine, an annular basket consisting of an annularhollow shell supported on the axle by suitable radial supports, andwhose outer wall consists of a sieve or straining medium, in combinationwith a central hopper having radial tubes or passages leading into theannular basket and making liquor and air tightjunctures with the shellof the same, the hopper and the radial passages al fol-ding means ofintroducing a liquid or a semifluid fill mass into the basket while themachine is in motion, substantially as specified.

4 In a centrifugal machine having its basket divided into molds bysuitable vertical partitions, the construction of the top or bottomplates of the molds so that they may be opened or removed to allow ofthe emptying of the molds, substantially as specified.

5. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine containing a seri sof fixed or remov' able radial molds, of a central hopper mounted on theaxle and revolving with it, receptacles for receiving thewashing-liquor, formed one in front of the sugar in each mold, andspouts leading from the central hopper to the receptacles, substantiallyas specified.

(i. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of a basket to holdthe material to be drained or filtered, a chamber or chamberssurrounding the basket and revolving with it,

into which the liquid flows from the basket,and discharging-pipesthrough which the liquid flows from the chamber or chambers into anencircling trough while the machine is in mo tion, substantially asspecified.

7. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of molds arrangedradially in the machine or formed radially in the basket of the same,sirup-receptacles arranged around the periphery of the machine andrevolving with it, into which the sirups may flow from the molds, andtubes leading from the receptacles and communicating through a tube inthe axleof the machine with a pipe or conduit leading from avacuum-inducing apparatus, substantially as specified.-

8. In a centrifugal machine, thecombination, with the chamber orchambers surrounding and revolving with the basket of the machine andcommunicating with a suitable vacuuminducing apparatus, ofdischarge-pipes curved so that theliquid in the curves will, while themachine is revolving, form air-traps and prevent the flow of anyairthrough the said pipes 0 into the chambers to destroy the vacuum orpartial vacuum induced therein, substantially as specified.

9. The combination, in a centi ifugal machine,

of a basket arranged to be tightly closed to- 5 ward the axle, and anaxial tube communicating with the basket, and through the bearing of theaxle with means for atfording a supply of hot or dry air, substantiallyas specified.

10. In a'centrifugal machine, the combination of an annular basket orbody, axial tubes communicating through the bearings of the mounted onthe axle of the machine and re volving with it, and communicating withthe interior of the basket or of the radial molds by means of radiatingtubes, in combination with the tubes, roses, or spray-plates closing themouths of the tubes projecting into the interior of the basket or molds,by which any liquid poured into the central hopper or reservoir whilethe machine is in motion will be sprayed over the face of the sugar inthe hasket or molds, substantially as specified.

12. In a sugar centrifugal machine having its basket divided into moldsby radial partitions, and having the bottom plate of each mold arrangedas a door which may be opened for the removal of the contents of themold, the parallel vertical partitions (l in each mold, attachedalternately to the top plate of the IIO mold and to the under plate ordoor of the same, the partitions operating to form the sugar run intothe machine and drained therein into slabs, and to thoroughly loosen thesaid slabs on the opening of the door, substantially as specified.

13. Ina sugar centrifugal machine in which liquoring is to be practiced,a series of radial molds having their top and bottom plates inclinedtoward each other proceeding from the center of the machine, so that thethickness of the molds will be less the greater the distance from thecenter,and thoroughness in liquoring thereby he facilitated,substantially as specified.

14. In molds formed'or arranged in the hasket of a centrifugal machinein which liquoring is to be practiced, and having the plates forming thetop and bottom of the same inclined toward each other proceeding fromthe axle to facilitate thoroughness in liquoring, vertical and parallelplates, substantially as described, for forming the sugar run into themolds and drained in the same into slabs, the vertical arrangement ofthe plates, instead of a horizontal arrangement, being for the purposeof avoiding the formation of the thin wedge-shaped pieces of sugar whichwould be formed were the plates horizontal in consequence of theinclination of the top and bottom plates of the molds toward each other.

15. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of horizontal and radialmolds having their mouths toward the axle provided with means wherebythey maybe tightly closed, and an axial tube communicating with thevarious molds, and also through the bearings of the axle with means foraffording supplies of liquid or gaseous substances, substantially-asspecified.

16. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of annular or radialreceptacles for bolding the matter to be subjected to the centrifugalforce, and arranged to be tightly closed toward the axle, a centralhopper communicat ing with the receptacles by suitable passages, v

a sleeve-cap on the axle of the machinefby which the mouth of thecentralhopper may be closed, and an axial tube communicating with thereceptacles, and through the bearings of the axle with means ofaffording a supply of'a gaseous reagent, substantially as specified.

17. In a centrifugal machine, the combination of annular or radialreceptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of thecentrifugal force, and having axial communications with means foraffording supplies of liquid or gaseous reagents, and chamberssurrounding the receptacles, into which flow the liquids separated fromthe contents of thelatter by the centrifugal force, the said chambershaving axial communications with an exhausting or vacuum-inducingapparatus, substantially as specified.

18. In a centrifugal ma hine, the combination, with annular or radialreceptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of thecentrifugal force, and arranged to be tightly closed toward the axle ofthe machine, of a central hopper having radial pipes leading to thereceptacles and arranged so that its mouth may be closed air-tight, anaxial tube communicating with the receptacles, and through the bearingsofthe axle with means for affording supplies of gaseous reagents,air-tight chambers surrounding the receptacles, and into which flow theliquids separated from the contents of the latter by the centrifugalforce, and an axial tube communicating with the said chambers, andthrough the bearings of the axle with pipes leading from avacuum-inducing apparatus, the combination operating to effect the flowof a gaseous reagent through the contents of thereceptacles,substantially as specified.

S. MORRIS LILLIE.

Witnesses:

W. W. DOUGHERTY, THOS. J. KELLY.

